Why aren’t homeowners more excited about smart meters? – According to a new YouGov survey, only a third of respondents have opted to use one in spite of the government committing for all UK homes to have a smart meter by 2020. So, why the reticence?
Smart meters are advertised as cost effective but of the survey respondents who have a smart meter, only seven per cent reported a reduction in their energy bills after installing the system. And in fact, only 23 per cent opted for a smart meter because they thought it would reduce their energy bills.
Another interesting little stat: one in 11 of respondents reported an increase in their bills, according to the survey findings.
Perhaps people aren’t buying into the whole money saving thing?
But it’s not just that…
According to YouGov’s survey, 30 per cent of respondents highlighted the potential of cyber attacks as discouraging them from installing a smart meter.
Luke Osborne, energy advisor with the Electrical Contractors’ Association (which commissioned the survey), says that the government “must do more to explain to the public why smart meters do not present a security risk from hacking or other data breaches.”
There seems to be some misconception regarding smart meters, which has resulted in a lack of consumer confidence in the device. Before rejecting the idea, do your research and when in doubt, ask a pro!
For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.
(And in case you’re not quite sure what a smart meter is or does: it’s a gas or electricity meter that works by sending meter readings to us via a SIM card in the meter, just like a mobile phone. With your smart readings your bills will be more accurate as you’ll only be charged for the energy you’ve used.)
Source: hvnplus.co.uk – “UK smart meter survey critical of ‘money saving’ message”
AA Cooper launches financial solution
The team at AA Cooper is pleased to announce the launch a brand new finance service in partnership with Ideal 4 Finance. We understand that the costs of upgrading/servicing/repairing might not be something you had planned for, which is why we have a pain-free financial solution for you!
Our flexible payment options are available for all our services with the majority being for new boiler installations and bathrooms.
A new bathroom increases the value of your property – perhaps you’re looking to sell your home or you’ve just purchased and are looking to renovate your bathroom. Or you’d just like something new but don’t want to go overboard in terms of budget as the investment may not be recouped in the future. The benefits of opting for finance through our solution are:
Whilst bathroom upgrades might be a lifestyle luxury (although not always!) boiler servicing is usually a necessity.
A new survey, commissioned by Worcester Bosch, found that 85 per cent of British households plan to keep their homes heated over 18°C this winter. In addition, 75 per cent of Brits typically take a warm shower or bath at least once a day, and 67 per cent rely on the hot water to wash up their dirty dishes daily. This highlights the importance of a reliable boiler as well as an annual service to ensure it is running smoothly.
Emergency repairs or servicing (certainly a brand new boiler!) can be costly – and we would love to help! To apply for finance online, visit our dedicated page HERE. The application form is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Source: HVP Magazine
Top tips for keeping mould out of your bathroom
Mould is like missing socks and dust on shelves – incredibly annoying! It isn’t always obvious and recurs no matter how hard you clean. Or does it? Could there be a way to rid your bathroom of mould?
Understanding why mould occurs is the best way to combat the stuff. Typically, mould is caused by high levels of humidity and your bathroom is the wettest room in the house. Poor ventilation incites mould – lingering moisture trapped inside your bathroom (when you close the door to have a shower, for example) will attach itself to surfaces (walls, mirrors, the floor, etc.) giving mould the perfect condition in which to flourish. Damp mats and towels are also conducive to high levels of humidity in a bathroom.
Here are some top tips to creating a mould resistant bathroom:
Good luck!
For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.
Source: Houselogic.com
How to maximise space in a small bathroom
The most recent Bathroom Market report by AMA Research has revealed a growing preference for minimalist, wall-hung and counter top bathroom designs, with the most popular products supporting space saving solutions.
If you have a small bathroom (or a bigger one that you’d like to neaten up) there are some nifty ideas that are trending at the moment, including slim-line wash basins and short-projection furniture. Compact shower baths, small freestanding baths and space-saving ‘back-to-wall’ D-shaped/skirted baths also work well in smaller spaces.
‘Invisible’ storage solutions are a great for de-cluttering as are prefabricated solutions including installation frames and concealed plastic cisterns.
Floating vanities and basins are a couple of the most popular wall hung bathroom features when it comes to maximising space in a bathroom, and a rounded vanity is a good idea if you’re worried about the inconvenience (and safety) of a sharp corner sticking out in a tight space.
A counter extended over the toilet creates an easy space to store items and mounting a towel bar on the shower door will save space (although the rest of the towels might need some cupboard space elsewhere in your home). And there are some styling tips that will create an illusion of space in a small bathroom: large-scale patterns can trick the eye into seeing expanded space, as can expanded mirrors.
For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.
Source: Forbes.com
10 top bathroom trends for 2019
What does the UK’s most searched for bathroom look like? Google has the answer – and Sanctuary Bathrooms has been kind enough to analyse all the data for us. Check out the top décor and product trends for 2019:
The common thread that marries these choices together is the sanctuary of a bathroom space, which is not only functional but an escape. Freestanding baths, chrome features and dark colours – there’s a sense of romance inherent in this type of look.
As specialists in bespoke bathrooms and plumbing we know how important it is for us to stay on top of bathroom trends, and to advise our clients according to their unique contexts and hopes for their bathroom space. For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.
Source: kbbreview.com
Is a wet room a good option for your bathroom?
Firstly, what is a wet room, and what happened to a good old fashioned shower? Don’t panic, they still exist and are fabulous but wet rooms are trending, and are a good way to add value to your bathroom and property.
A wet room is a shower but without the shower screen and tray – so, an open shower area, usually demarcated with tiles.
Why might you want one? Other than upping the price you might be able to sell your home for, wet rooms are contemporary and interesting. They work well in a small space, taking up less room than a bath although intentional design is a good idea; to avoid shower water wetting towels and loo rolls. With no screen or tray, wet rooms are easier to clean but do remember that whilst wet rooms have the potential to increase the value of your home, buyers are partial to one bath at least – so think carefully if a wet room is to replace a bath.
If you’re excited about the idea of an open-plan type of shower, it is important to know off the bat that this is a job for professionals, even if you have some experience with home DIY. A gradient will need to be created in your bathroom in order to channel shower water into a drain, and the room will also require waterproofing. This is hard graft and requires expertise and experience for optimum results.
Your qualified tradesman might suggest raising the bathroom door threshold to keep water contained (in the event of drain blockage) and under-floor heating to keep your feet warm as well as dry out the bathroom. The details will be up to you but advice from a professional is your best bet for a beautiful, successful wet room.
Enjoy planning and dare to do something different!
For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.
Source: Idealhome.co.uk
Most common water wasting habits in British homes
A new survey by the Water Regulation Advisory Scheme (WRAS) has found that 80 per cent of Brits are guilty of committing at least one water-wasting habit on a regular basis.
Check out the most common water wasting habits in British homes today:
Other bad habits people admit to include having a shower after a bath and using a hose pipe to clean the car, instead of a bucket.
Making an effort to change these habits might seem inconsequential but every little effort to save water counts – not only saving you money but helping the environment by conserving water resources.
As well as changing habits there are other practical things we can do at home to conserve water, like reducing the amount of time you shower, using less water to wash dishes and using bath or dish water to water the plants inside or out. Installing simple devices such as water-efficient taps and showers will also save both water and energy by minimising the use of heated water. An efficient shower head could reduce household bills by up to £120 per year!
For all your plumbing needs, questions or information, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.
Sources: Waterwise.org.uk and hvpmag.co.uk
Brits prioritise redecorating over gas safety when moving home
New research by the Gas Safe Register has found that for 27 per cent of people, redecorating is the single most important priority after buying a new home. Next on the list is fitting a new kitchen or bathroom (21 per cent) and a mere 12 per cent said they’d fit a new boiler.
Interestingly, almost three in 10 UK home buyers have had to replace their boiler earlier than anticipated due to it being faulty or old. This might be because not all homeowners have their boilers serviced! In fact, 24 per cent of Brits admit they have either have never had their boiler serviced or haven’t had it serviced once a year as recommended.
Perhaps if new home owners were aware of these figures they’d be more inclined to have a boiler check done as a priority?
Another interesting statistic is that almost a fifth of buyers (18 per cent) say they have regretted not getting a more comprehensive survey when buying a home in the past. The more comprehensive the survey, the more likely it is that observations about the general condition of the boiler or gas appliances might be made and then used by the buyer to reduce the seller’s price.
It’s not a legal requirement for a seller to provide a service record for a boiler (although 42 per cent of people thing that it is!), which makes it extremely important to get that have a check done as soon as possible after moving if you are unsure of the condition of your boiler.
Jonathan Samuel, chief executive of Gas Safe Register, said: “Gas appliances can be dangerous if they’re not looked after, so it’s important to ensure you know if the boiler in the home you are planning to purchase has been serviced or fixed by someone who is legally registered and qualified to do so.”
For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.
What do Brits really think about climate change?
Climate change has been a hot topic for what seems like ages – and it continues to be a hot topic not only because it’s controversial it will take an absolute monumental effort to mitigate its continuing effect.
Research by Smart Energy GB shows that most Brits (70 per cent) think we should play a leading role in tackling global warming. The survey, which questioned people on their attitude to climate change following the recent UN IPCC report, also found that:
The question is: what can we do, as homeowners, to help fight climate change? Here are some ideas:
For more details on the above suggestions, visit Reset.org
Every little bit makes a difference!
For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.
Five top bathroom design tips
Other than the kitchen, the bathroom is probably the most important room in the house
in terms of resale value – as people are spending more time in their bathroom as a place
of sanctuary and relaxation, not just a place to serve practical needs. So if you’ve decided
to give your bathroom a refurb, you’ll want to put lots of thought into your design.
To inspire you at the start of your new bathroom journey, check out these five top tips
(adapted from Better Homes & Gardens)
tips to get the best light out of (or into) your bathroom is to use ceiling-mounted
fixtures or add style and mood with chandeliers or pendant lights. Use accent
lights to emphasise architectural features and vapour-proof downlights in
enclosed tubs and showers. Mirrors are also a good way to reflect light and create
a sense of space in your bathroom.
effective statement in a bathroom.
and slip-resistant – and attractive, of course. NO carpets and NO parquet. Please.
do you want it to energise you or wake you up in the morning? Colour (of the
walls but also decor, accessories, sink, tub etc.) will help you create your desired
atmosphere.
from the counter into the sink. Self-rimming bathroom sinks, on the other hand,
are the most economical and the easiest to install, but the perimeter lip can
collect grime. The choice is yours.
We wish you all the best in your design adventure! And for all your plumbing needs,
questions or information, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007
or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.
Why aren’t smart meters more popular?
Why aren’t homeowners more excited about smart meters? – According to a new YouGov survey, only a third of respondents have opted to use one in spite of the government committing for all UK homes to have a smart meter by 2020. So, why the reticence?
Smart meters are advertised as cost effective but of the survey respondents who have a smart meter, only seven per cent reported a reduction in their energy bills after installing the system. And in fact, only 23 per cent opted for a smart meter because they thought it would reduce their energy bills.
Another interesting little stat: one in 11 of respondents reported an increase in their bills, according to the survey findings.
Perhaps people aren’t buying into the whole money saving thing?
But it’s not just that…
According to YouGov’s survey, 30 per cent of respondents highlighted the potential of cyber attacks as discouraging them from installing a smart meter.
Luke Osborne, energy advisor with the Electrical Contractors’ Association (which commissioned the survey), says that the government “must do more to explain to the public why smart meters do not present a security risk from hacking or other data breaches.”
There seems to be some misconception regarding smart meters, which has resulted in a lack of consumer confidence in the device. Before rejecting the idea, do your research and when in doubt, ask a pro!
For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.
(And in case you’re not quite sure what a smart meter is or does: it’s a gas or electricity meter that works by sending meter readings to us via a SIM card in the meter, just like a mobile phone. With your smart readings your bills will be more accurate as you’ll only be charged for the energy you’ve used.)
Source: hvnplus.co.uk – “UK smart meter survey critical of ‘money saving’ message”